Pro-life Leader Calls On
Abortion Advocates to Condemn
the Killing of Pro-life
Activist

By Citizens for a Pro-Life Society Editors

An Owosso
police officer stretches a police line across Whitehaven Drive near Owosso High
School in Owosso, Mich., as first responders work on a shooting victim Friday
morning, Sept. 11, 2009. Michigan authorities say an anti-abortion activist was
slain near Owosso High School and another man was fatally shot at a business in
a neighboring community in crelated incidents. (ANTHONY CEPAK/THE ARGUS-PRESS VIA AP)

Jim Pouillon, a well-known pro-life activist was shot to death while witnessing
to the sanctity of life outside of the Owosso High School in Flint, Michigan .
The killing occurred at about 7:30 am, Friday, Sept. 11, 2009 as Pouillon stood
outside of the school building. He held a large poster of a baby with the
message “Life” written in large letters. The victim, dependent on an oxygen tank
and who wore leg braces, was a committed pro-life activist who for many years
stood outside of Flint area abortion clinics and Planned Parenthood offices in
the hope of turning women away from their abortion decision.

Owosso Police Department and Michigan State Police officers
photograph evidence which belonged to anti-abortion activist
Jim Pouillon Friday, Sept. 11, 2009 in Owosso, Mich. An
unidentified 33-year-old man fatally shot Pouillon, 63, across
the street from Owosso High School as horrified parents and
students watched, authorities said. When police arrested the
man, the gunman said he was involved in the killing of a gravel
pit owner earlier that day.(PAUL SANCYA/AP)

Owosso Police Department Ptl. Eric Chery investigates a sign
as evidence which belonged to anti-abortion activist Jim Pouillon
Friday, Sept. 11, 2009 in Owosso, Mich. An unidentified 33-year-old
man fatally shot Pouillon, 63, across the street from Owosso High
School as horrified parents and students watched, authorities
said. When police arrested the man, the gunman said he was involved
in the killing of a gravel pit owner earlier that day.
(PAUL SANCYA/AP)

"Jim died while giving a peaceful witness to the sacredness of human life. He
stood outside of the local high school on many occasions holding a sign of a
baby to send a message to the students that abortion is the taking of innocent
life. Now his life has been taken as he stood in witness against the injustice
of abortion. When violence is aimed at those who provide abortion—pro-life
leaders are swift to condemn it. We call on the pro-abortion community to
condemn this violence against Jim Pouillon. Many have already blamed Jim for his
own death because he dared to stand on the street with a pro-life sign. Such a
point of view is atrocious and grossly irresponsible. If advocates of legal
abortion do not swiftly and unequivocally condemn this violence against an
activist for life—this shows that when violence is committed against the unborn,
against those who defend the unborn—they think it’s perfectly justified.”

"No matter how the opposition wants to spin this--Jim Pouillon is a
hero—murdered for the cause of life. He shares the victimhood of those little
ones whose lives he defended.”

Shiawassee County Sheriff George Braidwood, left, and Owosso Public
Safety Director Mike Compeau take questions from the media after
making brief statements about two related shooting that occurred
Friday morning, Sept. 11, 2009 in Owosso.
(ANTHONY CEPAK/THE ARGUS-PRESS VIA AP)

Prosecutor Randy Colbry talks about the Owosso shooting of
two people at at press conference. Friday, September 11, 2009.
Harlan Drake, 33, of Owosso, was arraigned this afternoon on
two counts of first-degree murder, one count of using a gun
in commission of a crime, and carrying a gun with the intent
to commit a crime.
(WILLIAM ARCHIE/DFP)